Christian Music Artist Reviews

Fireflight "Now" (4.7 Almost completely perfect)

Thu, 08 Mar 2012 11:19:00 -0500

So I haven’t done an album review in a longggg time, and so I decided to do one when I heard Fireflights new album… because well… it’s amazing. :D

I wasn’t a huge fan of their 3rd album (For those who wait). It just wasn’t as impressive as “Unbreakable”. That album was unbelievable, and I loved seeing them in concert when they toured with it. I was nervous that this album wasn’t going to be as amazing as it could be, but it is definitely right back up there with “Unbreakable”.

In this album they incorporate some electronic to their normally impressive rock sound. Dawn’s voice is amazing as usual, and the guitar is especially great in some of the songs.

Songs are as follows:

1. Stay Close

2. Ignite

3. Escape

4. He Weeps

5. Keeping Me Alive

6. Stronger than You Think

7. Prove Me Wrong

8. Dying for Your Love

9. Rise Above

10. Now

The lyrics are really inspirational and encouraging. It is geared more towards those who are struggling with bad situations in life. “He Weeps” poses and answers the question of where is God when there is suffering. I definitely like this song a lot. My favorite song for upbeat goodness is “Now” and “Stronger than You Think”. The guitar is so catchy and awesome sounding. :)

Overall the lyrics are great. The music is great. And the vocals are perfect. BUY THIS ALBUM!

Ratings:

Vocals: 5 out of 5

Lyrics: 4.5 out of 5

Instruments: 4.8 out of 5

This song is absolutely incredible. It’s based on Mary...

Mon, 05 Mar 2012 23:08:00 -0500

This song is absolutely incredible. It’s based on Mary Magdalene’s story, but I think it really is everyone’s story. It is so powerfully moving. Listen to this song. DO IT!

Lyrics:

Who but You, could breathe and leave a trail of galaxies and dream of me?
What kind of Love is writing my story until the end with Mercy’s pen?
Only You.
What kind of king would chose to wear a crown that bleeds and scars to win my heart?
What kind of Love tells me I’m the reason He can’t stay inside the grave?
You. Is it You? Standing here before my eyes, every part of my heart cries

Alive! Alive! Look what Mercy’s overcome; Death has lost and Love has won
Alive! Alive! Hallelujah, Risen Lord, the only One I fall before
I am His because He is alive.

Who could speak, and send the demons back from where they came with just one Name?
What other heart would let itself be broken every time until He healed mine?
You. Only You could turn my darkness into dawn; running right into Your arms

Alive! Alive! Look what Mercy’s overcome; Death has lost and Love has won
Alive! Alive! Hallelujah, Risen Lord, the only One I fall before
I am His because He is alive.

Emmanuel, the promised King the baby who made angels sing
Son of Man who walked with us, healing, breathing in our dust
The author of all history, the answer to all mysteries
The Lamb of God who rolled away, the stone in front of every grave

"People don’t enjoy salt. They enjoy what is salted. We are the salt of the earth. We do not exist..."

Mon, 27 Feb 2012 15:54:15 -0500

“People don’t enjoy salt. They enjoy what is salted. We are the salt of the earth. We do not exist for ourselves.”

- John Piper (via deebella123)

Christian Music on Television

Wed, 01 Feb 2012 14:02:50 -0500

So, I have to say that I am super proud of the Christian music world lately. They’re producing music that is good enough to use on television. We’ve come a long way from having not the greatest music ever, but good lyrics. Yeah for the best of both worlds!

College

Wed, 25 Jan 2012 23:37:16 -0500

Ok so I know that this is a music blog, BUT! I can’t help but spazz out for a second because I just got accepted to Anderson University. I’m so thankful to God, and overall stoked. :D :D :D

You gave me hope you made me whole at the cross.You took my...

Tue, 24 Jan 2012 19:56:32 -0500

You gave me hope you made me whole at the cross.
You took my place you showed me grace.
At the cross where you died for me.

And his glory appears like the light from the sun
Age to age he shines look to the skies hear the angels cry.
Saying holy is the Lord.

This album comes out soon guys. Get stoked and watch the video.

Tue, 24 Jan 2012 15:24:24 -0500

This album comes out soon guys. Get stoked and watch the video.

A word to worship leaders:

Wed, 18 Jan 2012 15:55:45 -0500

stephssetapart:

It’s not about how many people you lead or the platform in which you have to lead worship it’s about your secret place, it’s about worshiping in spirit and in truth, knowing the fathers heart and proclaiming who He is. If leading worship is about you then you’re really worshiping yourself and not God. You have an opportunity to point others to God through worship but in order to lead you must really let Him lead.

David Crowder Give Us Rest (A Requiem Mass in C [The Happiest of All Keys])

Fri, 13 Jan 2012 12:11:25 -0500

Ok so first off the name of this album is super long, which confused me. Until I realized there are like 34 songs on this thing. It is so diverse it’s sort of unbelievable. The genres that I’d say are held within this treasure trove of song are: country, singer songwriter, acoustic, your average Contemporary Christian of the moment, techno ish stuff, hymns, and classical music thrown on top for good measure.

I was sort of confused with the concept of this album, but it definitely has something for everyone on it. In fact, I guarantee that you will like at least one song on this album. You can get the whole album for $12 on Amazon. I don’t know that I’ll be buying the whole album. I’m still unsure if I like the album as a whole or not. But! I’d definitely check it out and see if you like it. It is their last album together so I’d at least pay my respects by looking into the album.

Happy Listening! :)

Photo

Sat, 07 Jan 2012 13:14:58 -0500

This group is really interesting. They mix up a lot of different...

Sat, 31 Dec 2011 16:50:33 -0500

This group is really interesting. They mix up a lot of different styles, and I love how this song starts out with beautiful piano and then transitions into a more techno/electric sound. I also noticed that their songs use straight up Bible verses for lyrics. This song is called Eyes of the Lord. They remind me of Owl City a bit, if that helps. :) They are Indies, so listening to them makes me feel all Hipster… :P haha Anyways, enjoy!!

This is seriously… ridiculous… ahhhhh sooo good. I...

Tue, 20 Dec 2011 20:31:00 -0500

This is seriously… ridiculous… ahhhhh sooo good. I like a little Christmas edge. :D

One of the people I follow posted this song, and I loved it...

Thu, 15 Dec 2011 14:24:00 -0500

One of the people I follow posted this song, and I loved it immediately. So! For your listening pleasures….

I am the Lord your God

I go before you now

I stand beside you

I’m all around you

And though you feel I’m far away

I am closer than your breath

I am with you

More than you know

I am the Lord your peace

No evil will conquer you

Steady now your heart and mind

Come into my rest

And oh let your faith arise

And life up your weary head

I am with you wherever you go

Come to me, I’m all you need

Come to me, I’m everything

Come to me, I’m all you need

Come to me, I’m your everything

I am your anchor in the wind and the waves

And I am steadfast, so don’t be afraid

Though your heart and flesh may fail you

I’m your faithful strength

And I am with you wherever you go

(chorus)

Don’t look to the right or to the left, keep your eyes on me

You will not be shaken. You will not be moved

I am the hand to hold, I am the truth, I am the way

Just come to me, come to me

Cause I’m all that you need

Happy 6th month

Tue, 13 Dec 2011 21:48:29 -0500

Wow… it’s hard to believe that it’s been six months today since I had spinal fusion surgery. It’s been a rough ride. It’s definitely turned my life upside down. So many things have changed because of surgery, and just during the time of surgery. I’ve fought with self-loathing, deppression, tons of pain, hope about my future, and more. I’ve gained some friends, and realized who my true friends are. But the greatest two things I’ve learned are these:

He restores my soul.

and

It is not by strength one prevails.

Both of these phrases are from the Bible, and they came to me in some of my deepest moments of sadness. It was like God was saying to me that He will restore my life to fullness of joy and relationships and just beauty in general. And that it is not my own strength that causes me to prevail. Faith, and trust in God to take care of me is the reason that I prevail. When I come out of this time of healing completely (1 year), and I am able to be a better me, the reason for that is because He has been the strength that restored me.

One of my favorite Christmas songs. God could have chose to send...

Sun, 11 Dec 2011 14:44:54 -0500

One of my favorite Christmas songs. God could have chose to send Jesus with all the power and ability to take down the world with one breath, but instead He came as a small little baby. Thus proving God’s even stronger, because He still wins using weakness.

Could’ve come like a mighty storm
With all the strength of a hurricane
You could’ve come like a forest fire
With the power of heaven in Your flame

But You came like a winter snow
Quiet and soft and slow
Falling from the sky in the night
To the earth below

You could’ve swept in like a tidal wave
Or an ocean to ravish our hearts
You could have come through like a roaring flood
To wipe away the things we’ve scarred

But You came like a winter snow
(Yes, You did)
You were quiet
You were soft and slow
Falling from the sky in the night
To the earth below

Oh, no, Your voice wasn’t in a bush burning
No, Your voice wasn’t in a rushing wind
It was still
It was small
It was hidden

You came like a winter snow
Quiet and soft and slow
Falling from the sky in the night
To the earth below

Falling
(Oh, yeah)
To the earth below
You came falling
From the sky in the night
To the earth below

Lately I’ve been in a very Hymny mood, which is sort of...

Fri, 09 Dec 2011 00:46:39 -0500

Lately I’ve been in a very Hymny mood, which is sort of abnormal. But I think the lyrics are just so beautifully written. One of my favorites right now is “How Deep the Father’s Love” This song is just sooo good. His love is far beyond our understanding. His love is what pulls me out of the deepest pits of life. And I know with all my heart that He loves me, has saved me, and I am free because of Him.

This particular one is covered by Joy Williams. I just like her easy breathless voice.

Lyrics

How deep the Father’s love for us,
How vast beyond all measure
That He should give His only Son
To make a wretch His treasure

How great the pain of searing loss,
The Father turns His face away
As wounds which mar the chosen One,
Bring many sons to glory

Behold the Man upon a cross,
My sin upon His shoulders
Ashamed I hear my mocking voice,
Call out among the scoffers

It was my sin that left Him there
Until it was accomplished
His dying breath has brought me life
I know that it is finished

I will not boast in anything
No gifts, no power, no wisdom
But I will boast in Jesus Christ
His death and resurrection

Why should I gain from His reward?
I cannot give an answer
But this I know with all my heart
His wounds have paid my ransom

This one is just for some good Christmas fun. :) I love...

Mon, 05 Dec 2011 21:36:15 -0500

This one is just for some good Christmas fun. :) I love Christmas, and even though this doesn’t have a whole lot of substance with a record of affecting my life, I still just like to listen to it. :)

"The gospel of sin management produces vampire Christians who want Jesus for his blood and little..."

Thu, 01 Dec 2011 17:20:16 -0500

“The gospel of sin management produces vampire Christians who want Jesus for his blood and little else… At the heart of right-wing theology is the individual forgiveness of sins. On the left it is the removal of social or structural evils. The current gospel then becomes a gospel of sin management. Transformation of heart and character is no part of the redemptive message. Moment to moment human reality is not the arena of faith and eternal living. What right and left have in common is neither has a coherent framework of knowledge and practical direction adequate to personal transformation toward the abundance and the obedience emphasized in the New Testament.”

- The Great Omission

"God loves each of us as if there were only one of us."

Thu, 01 Dec 2011 16:50:34 -0500

“God loves each of us as if there were only one of us.”

- ~St. Augustine

"Does God want us to suffer? What if the answer to that question is ‘yes’? You see, I don’t think..."

Tue, 29 Nov 2011 23:02:35 -0500

“Does God want us to suffer? What if the answer to that question is ‘yes’? You see, I don’t think that God particularly wants us to be happy. I think He wants us to love and be loved. He wants us to grow up. You see, we are like children who think that our toys bring us all the happiness there is, and that our nursery is the whole wide world. But something has to drive us out into the world of others, and that thing is suffering. Put simply, pain is God’s megaphone to rouse a deaf world. We are like blocks of stone from which the Sculptor carves a form. The blows of His chisel which hurt us so much are what make us perfect.”

- C.S. Lewis, “Shadowlands” (via sketchmedesire)